Local businesses award young readers at the public libraries

Posted: August 4, 2012 - 11:03pm

Juneau’s youth are reading or being read to this summer and local businesses are recognizing the importance of literacy. As kids write book reviews for the libraries, they are entered in a drawing for prizes from local businesses, often gift certificates.

This is part of our Summer Reading Program which kicked off on June 1 at the three public libraries. Continuing in August are: a free movie on the second Sunday of the month, Aug. 12, at 3 p.m., at the Douglas Library; summertime Family Nights on the first Tuesday of the month at the Valley Library, Aug. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Also, we look forward to the second annual performance by the Roustabout Circus at the Douglas Library/Fall Hall at 3 p.m. on Aug. 18. Storytimes and toddler times are now on break and will begin again on Aug. 27 for the fall programming.

Mendenhall Valley Library:

Sarah Wilkenson, age 4, won a gift certificate to Peer Amid Beads

Book read: Arthur Lost and Found by Marc Brown.

Why chosen: Because I liked it. The funny part is Arthur ate so many candies that he used up all his money.

Why finished: Because I loved it so much - that’s my favorite story.

Who else might like it: Bella, Marisa

Katie Guthrie, age 10, won two passes to the Mount Roberts Tram.

Book read: Chicken Soup for the Girl’s Soul by Jack Canfield.

Why chosen: It talks about real stuff.

Why finished: It gives me an idea.

Who else might like it: Any girl from 10 - 15 would love this book.

Downtown Library:

Celia Wheeler, age 8, won a gift certificate from the Amazing Book Store in the Airport mall.

Book read: Molly Moon’s Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng.

Why chosen: It was a book by the same author (of a previous read).

Why finished: I loved it.

Who else might like it: People who like hypnotism.

Krishna Bathija, age 7, won a gift certificate from the Alaska Shirt Company.

Book read: Say What? By Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Why chosen: My sister said it was a good book.

Why finished: the characters were saying the wrong things at the wrong times.

Who else might like it: People who like funny words.

Douglas Library:

Selma Houck, age 12, won a gift pass from the Gold Town Nickelodeon Theatre.

Book read: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

Why chosen: I love Neil Gaiman.

Why finished: I couldn’t put it down.

Who else might like it: Imaginative kids ages 12 plus.

Annika Schwartz, age 8, won a gift certificate to the Nugget Alaskan Outfitter.

Book read: Dessert First by Hallie Durand.

Why chosen: I chose it because the pictures looked cool, I liked the cover and I needed a book to read.

Why finished: It was so exciting that I could not stop and I had to know what was going on.